New York, NY –
“KING OTTO”, a universally acclaimed hit feature film about the miracle triumph of the Greek National Soccer Team at EURO 2004 will be released by MPI Media Group in North American theaters and across all digital and video – on- demand platforms on March 25 – Greek Independence Day.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Christopher André Marks, “KING OTTO” arrives in the U.S. on the wings of widespread critical acclaim and theatrical success worldwide.
The film tells the improbable story of one of the biggest underdog triumphs of all time. It is an intimate and inspirational human story about an outsider daring to change his life and shake up the establishment at any cost. In summer 2004, the Greek National Soccer Team, that had never won a game or even scored a goal in a major tournament, defied 300-1 odds to become the unlikeliest of European champions.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Zinedine Zidane’s France and David Beckham’s England were left stunned as an unfancied country, featuring players no one had ever heard of, single handedly took down the titans of the world’s game.
The architect behind this unprecedented victory was legendary German coach “King” Otto Rehhagel. After accomplishing every major success in his own country, he made the bold decision to leave all he knew behind in order to work with the underachieving Greek National Team in a language he didn’t speak and in a country he couldn’t understand.
The film is the story of how these two contrasting cultures came together to speak the same language and write a new chapter of Greek mythology.
KING OTTO director Christopher André Marks (ESPN 30 for 30) said, “We have been overwhelmed by the incredible reception this film has received as we have released worldwide and at a time we need such uplifting tales of unity and hope, we are excited to share what is truly one of the greatest underdog sports achievements of all time with North American audiences”.
In what is being billed as the European “Ted Lasso”, the critically heralded film is set to take its place in the pantheon of inspiring sports dramas alongside “Miracle”, “Hoosiers” and “Cool Runnings”.
KingOtto_launchteaser2_15 (1).mp4 – Google Drive
Andrew Pulver of “The Guardian” called the film “thoughtful and erudite” claiming the film’s climax moment to be “one of the most uplifting things I have ever seen”.
David Stratton of “The Australian” writes: “Full marks to director Christopher André Marks for telling this real life feel good story, so well and so entertainingly…a compelling drama”.
Greg Baum of “The Sydney Morning Herald” claims it is “Technically a documentary but comes across as an Aesopian Fable” while the BBC called it “a beautiful, beautiful film”.
“The Athenians must have partied hard after they defeated the Persians in the battle of Marathon in 490 BC – but not like this… it’s irresistible,” noted John McDonald in the Australian Financial Review.
“It is emotional stuff, and it will be as enshrined like its lead player in the annals of Greek history”, praised Julian Wood at FilmInk.
“The importance of soccer to sports fans around the world cannot be overstated, and Christopher’s remarkable and uniting film arrives at a historical moment in Greece’s 200 year history. We are thrilled to bring this highly anticipated film to North American audiences”, said MPI Media Group Executive VP Hamza Ali.
The Director
Christopher André Marks is an award-winning Greek – American director based in New York. His critically acclaimed work has been screened in cinemas and on platforms as varied as ESPN, SKY, Canal +, Al Jazeera, and Discovery +.
His previous documentary work includes directing and producing the SXSW documentary, Tiger Hood, for ESPN Films’ Emmy Award Winning ’30 for 30′ series and working with HBO Sports on their Emmy and Peabody Award winning “24 / 7” series.
He previously worked with HBO Documentaries, ESPN Films and HBO Sports. He is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts film program.
For more information about “KING OTTO”, visit the film’s official website: https://kingottomovie.com
